The only time you need to worry about a spud gun splintering is if it is cold. NEVER SHOOT A COLD SPUD GUN! The pressure inside a combustion cannon doesn't get any higher than 50 psi (i think i read 30, but I'm being cautious). People regularly put 100-150 psi in air cannons with no fractures. That being said, a buddy of mine had a spud gun blow up in his hand, not a scratch on him. Of course, as with firing any thing else, it's always a good idea to wear eye protection.

"Remember when a potato cannon was just something the guys in your dorm down rigged up with some PVC pipe and a can of hairspray? Those were the good ol’ days."

I was in my dorm room my freshmen year and I hear a BOOOOM from out in the hall. I look outside and there's shredded potato all over the hallway, and two dudes are at the far end with a piece of PVC and a lighter.

The only time you need to worry about a spud gun splintering is if it is cold. NEVER SHOOT A COLD SPUD GUN! The pressure inside a combustion cannon doesn't get any higher than 50 psi (i think i read 30, but I'm being cautious). People regularly put 100-150 psi in air cannons with no fractures. That being said, a buddy of mine had a spud gun blow up in his hand, not a scratch on him. Of course, as with firing any thing else, it's always a good idea to wear eye protection.

Ahh, potato guns. When my sister was in EMT training she was in the ER when a teenager came in who had shot himself in the face with one of these accidentally, but it was loaded with a frog. I imagine a tennis ball or potato would have outright killed him, instead of just peeling back his face.

You can build one out of PVC for not too much more than the cost of this. And you totally should, making one is a lot of fun. Just...make sure you do it correctly, what with explosions and compressed gas and all.

I have built many of these. Yes I live in the woods. The best propellant is cheap bug spray from the dollar store. General Dollar used to sell it in packs of 3. It had even more kick that hairspray. Be careful, though, as it caused the PVC glue to deteriorate over time.

my buddy and I had a home built one. We loved that thing..was super fun! the potatos would def kill a person if hit in the right place...so def need some supervision and self restraint with these.

Our was fun as is, then I though it would be awesome to leave the ram rod, (axe handle) in the barrel and shoot it. Not gonna lie, was super cool till after about 10 shots, the chamber blew up. Had the thing on my shoulder just like one of those plastic army men, and the thing went up like bugs bunny stuck his finger in the barrel.

the part that was on my neck must have had some support and lucky blew out away from me, and didn't hurt me. Just a ringing in my ear....

So we decided to upgrade and made a "potato cannon." This one is made out of steel pipe. Looks like a small fire hydrant with a barrel on it. we use speaker wire, steel wool, car battery, propane, and oxygen to fire this one.

We have no proof that it will shoot across the ohio river..but you don't see a splash...

Anything used irresponsibly can be illegal. You should see what I can do with a spoon... melt heroin, stab someone's eye out, break a window, pretend it's a gun in my pocket while holding up a convenience store, etc. Throw a cat at a cop; you'll probably get arrested.

Although your are correct in saying PVC shatters into sharp shards when the burst pressure is exceed for the diameter and schedule of pipe being used, I would add that anything used improperly is dangerous.

According to some internet searching, most hairspray shots, even at the best fuel air mixture produce a momentary 50-60PSI. This is well below the burst pressure of even the weakest pipe (based on diameter and the rated operating temp). Now, if you're stupid (this would be the "used improperly" part) and use a fuel other than hairspray, like gasoline, acetylene, propane, or even compressed air, then you get what you ask for. I would never used compressed air without building in at least 2 safety valves, like the one you find on your compressor.

Oh, and ABS cracks more readily than PVC at lower pressures, and is not meant for pressurized anything.

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